Fort Knox Five was formed in 2003 by Steve Raskin, Rob Myers, Sid Barcelona and Jon Horvath. The group chose their name "because our studio has always been called Fort Knox," though there were only four members in the group. The members hail from various side projects and previous outfits: Steve Raskin was originally part of
Edsel and
Raskal as well as
ESL Music groups Liftoff and Thunderball; Rob Myers played sitar and guitar with
Thievery Corporation and
International Velvet and guitar in
See-I; Jon Horvath recorded music with both
DJ Dan and Raskal; and Sid Barcelona was also a part of Liftoff and Thunderball, like Raskin. The band formed their record label,
Fort Knox Recordings, to release their music, and the label is now distributed by Washington, D.C.'s
Dischord Records. In 2005, Fort Knox Five opened for
Gwen Stefani's
Harajuku Lovers Tour throughout North America, playing numerous shows alongside Stefani and the
Black Eyed Peas. The band was selected by
Urb Magazine for their annual "Next 100" artists to watch. In 2007, Fort Knox Five was selected to remix two
Bob Marley songs, which were released on
Roots, Rock, and Remixed. The band also selected as the resident DJ at the Eye Candy Sound Lounge at the
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in
Las Vegas. In 2008, Fort Knox Five released their debut studio album,
Radio Free DC, which features all four members of the band on production as well as numerous guest vocalists and musicians. In 2009, Fort Knox Five began the year with a tour of
Australia. Fort Knox Recordings then hosted a special inaugural event called The Funk 4 Peace Ball, which featured
Afrika Bambaataa,
2Tuff and Nappy Riddem. In January, the group was featured on the soundtrack for
EA's Skate 2 video game. The band also released Volume 1 of
Radio Free DC Remixed in February 2009. Fort Knox Five member Jon Horvath died on August 21, 2015. In 2020, Fort Knox Five received the WAMMY (Washington Area Music Award) for Best Electronic/Techno Artist or Group ==Discography==